Anthropology in Solving Global Social Issues

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Drawing upon the cases we’ve looked at in class, provide a discussion of the critical tools helpful in understanding religion cross-culturally

Nowadays, people understand that cultural diversity plays a significant role in the modern globalized world. At present, people do not try to stick to their national (cultural, religious) group but ready to share experiences with other nations and groups. Such an approach helps the entire humanity develop and improve living standards. However, sometimes it can be difficult to understand traditions (and especially religion) of other nations, which may (and does) result in various conflicts.

Thus, it is essential to have effective critical tools to consider religion in cross-cultural perspectives. According to King and Beattie, the best critical tool while thinking about other religions is empathy (22). People should, first of all, know the basic principles of the religion they are considering. Secondly, while thinking about it, they cannot conclude “projecting from one’s values,” but should take their time to “reflect on the practice” (King & Beattie 22).

When thinking about some other religion, a person needs to concentrate on the values promulgated and should avoid judging. People should try to understand that different cultures were developing in different socio-cultural environments, which influenced their beliefs. For example, two religions have two different approaches to sexuality: Christianity and Japanese Shinto. Japanese Shinto claims that the entire world was created during the sexual act, whereas Christianity insists on the innocent birth of Jesus, praising Virgin Mary, and condemning Eve, who is regarded as a temptress.

However, it is possible to understand these religions one, only should focus on the idea of life and birth. So, there is no need to condemn the Japanese and say that they are all sinners only because they explicitly reveal the idea of sexuality since Japanese Shinto, just like any other religion, strives for kindness and harmony in the world. Thus, can be, also helpful to look for similarities in religions and trying to understand what could cause differences.

For instance, rituals are one of the most disputable issues, and people often condemn or loathe some rituals. One such ambiguous rituals are African spirit-possession, which is hardly understandable for people who do not pertain to the religion where it is practiced. Of course, it is difficult to understand what you have never felt or never really seen. However, it is possible to compare this ritual by praying in Christianity since both of them bring joy, revelation, and relief. So, using these tools can be beneficial for understanding other religions.

Provide a discussion of some of the limitations that Western conceptions of art might have for our understanding of artistic productions (such as music, visual arts, etc.) cross-culturally

Admittedly, people about Western cultures have always thought that they are superior to other cultures due to the sophistication of Western culture. This perception is manifested by Western discourses, which are self-oriented, so-to-speak. Western conceptions of art have developed certain standards that have been strictly defended throughout centuries. Artists were moving in the same direction, which excluded the possibility to understand and assess other examples of the art of other nations. It can be explained historically by the Western expansionist policy. Thus, warriors and politicians tried to penetrate new worlds and make them accept their rules.

At the same time, Western people tried to justify that their culture is also superior. Perhaps, such successful expansion was one of the factors which prevented Western people from evaluating other nations’ works of art and created several limitations for our understanding of artistic productions. However, nowadays, people understand the significance of cultural diversity and try to regard art from cross-cultural perspectives. Of course, there are certain limitations that Western conceptions create. The post-colonial society worked out beliefs that Western cultures are sophisticated, and other cultures are primitive.

For instance, even now, many people judge artifacts of African, Asian cultures from this perspective. One of the most famous artists of Western art, Picasso, “valued non-western artifacts as a primitive source for the regeneration of European forms” (Hatt and Klonk 19). This viewpoint is still shared by many people. Western people judge visual arts basing on the previous examples of Western art. Listening to Asian and African western people may find it exotic and fascinating, but, still there can remain an idea of primitivism. Apart from this, it is important to note that Western art was too a great extent, influenced by religion, which promulgated certain values.

Thus, even nowadays many images or ideas revealed in the pieces of art of different cultures may seem not only primitive, but even lecherous, sinful, and incomprehensively vulgar. Western people judge the pieces of art basing on their values and fail to concentrate on the beauty of non-Western art. Of course, it is important to get rid of such erroneous perception and come to an understanding that every nation and culture has its peculiar art, which is sophisticated in its specific manner. Cross-cultural perception should focus on the ideas expressed by the works of art and the sophistication of techniques used to create this or that piece.

Drawing upon several examples that we’ve to look at in class, provide a discussion of how the concept of discourse is central to an anthropological approach to health and disease

According to Mills, the discourse may have many meanings, but the most general, which can be used for many stances is as follows: “all utterances or texts which have meaning and which have some effects in the real world” (6). In other words, discourse is the whole scope of ideas on a particular subject. To my mind, the concept of discourse is important for many areas of contemporary life, especially when it deals with health and disease.

The discourse, or sharing ideas and experience helps to find the truth and effective solutions, which in case of health are vital. Thus, in medicine there appear numerous ideas on how to treat diseases, and, unfortunately, emerge new illnesses. Of course, every utterance provokes reactions. For example, doctors find out that gay men have certain symptoms, and the disease was called Gay-Related Immune Deficiency Syndrome. Nevertheless, these findings evoked a discourse, and in some time people already knew that not only gay men were vulnerable to it, but many other cases led to the change of the name of the disease to AIDS.

Of course, the discussion did not make scientist just change the name, but they could find an effective treatment which now saves many lives (men, women, children). Thus, it is obvious that the concept of discourse is particularly important for the anthropological approach to health and disease. Another example can illustrate this statement. It was believed that black people are characterized by hypertension.

Of course, there was a specific discourse. It was believed that this peculiarity is determined by the past of the nations (slavery) and genes certain modification. However, recent research proves that the problem has a much larger context. The anthropological approach enabled scientists to see that the reason for hypertension among black people is not only genes but a way of life and other conditions. Understanding the reasons for diseases will enable people to find a cure.

Admittedly, this understanding can be found only in terms of discourse. Every person has his/her specific point of view, which can be erroneous (like in the initial assumption that AIDS is a disease of gay men), and only during the discussion can people find the truth. Moreover, the anthropological approach to health and medicine presupposes that cultural, ethnic, etc. peculiarities of people are taken into account. So, only the concept of discourse helps people to see all the possible details, which will become an effective solution. I believe it is important to start and take part in various discourses (of course, if one has something to say) so that the entire humanity can benefit.

Drawing on our class discussions, assess the usefulness of anthropology for solving global social problems

Anthropology, being a science about humanity, can be one of the most useful tools in solving global social problems. First of all, this science can define the exact problems. Admittedly, if you know what a problem is, it is much easier to find the right solution. On the other hand, anthropology can help to define the reasons for the problem. This science studies peculiarities of people, their behavior, and physical traits, so it is obvious that any social problem can be explained with the help of this discipline.

Of course, after having found the reason for a problem it can be possible to find the necessary solution. Furthermore, Anthropologists have accumulated many examples from the history of humanity, which can be useful for solving various problems. Sometimes it is enough to have a deeper insight. Many of the problems which appear on the global scale emerged in some particular places wherein the majority of cases (or at least in some cases) solutions were found.

It is possible to use the experience of a particular group of people to try to solve the problem of millions. Finally, it is possible to look for solutions to global social problems within anthropology. Social problems appear due to the peculiarities of people’s behavior or physical, mental traits, and anthropologists know how people act in this or those situations and what can cause this or that effect on them. So, after having found the solution anthropology can provide people with specific ways how to implement those solutions. For example, there is still certain tension between various nations.

Nevertheless, there are many examples that people of different cultures can live in the same country, in the same district. Many countries are characterized by cultural diversity, and, at the same time, there is no tension. So, it is possible to analyze what can lead to such results, find the necessary solution, and try to implement it on a global scale. Anthropologists can try to define what conditions should be created, what human traits are used to succeed.

It is possible to consider any social problem and solve it with the help of anthropology. Another example of a burning problem is believed gender issue. Irrespective of numerous changes in society millions of women are still suppressed in different countries. It is possible to look for the answer in anthropological study. It is necessary to research the most successful examples of women’s emancipation and again use them worldwide. Fortunately, anthropology can provide many solutions taking into account peculiarities of this pr that nation, ethnicity, or culture. Thus, anthropology can be regarded as one of the keys to solving global social problems.

Works Cited

King, Ursula and Tina Beattie. Gender, Religion and Diversity: Cross-Cultural Perspectives. New York: Continuum International Publishing Group, 2005.

Hatt, Michael and Charlotte Klonk. Art History: A Critical Introduction to its Methods. New York: Manchester University Press, 2006.

Mills, Sara. Discourse. New York: Routledge, 2004.

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